What’s the longest you’ve gone without a shower while hiking long distance?

This topic has 12 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 11 months ago by Lenny.

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November 7, 2006 at 9:42 am #10679

BirdShooter
Keymaster

My all time high (or low actually) was nine days while on the A.T. in the CT/MA area. At the time, there were very few hostels open and it was just North of Mt. Greylock before we finally broke down and got a motel room.

November 9, 2006 at 8:06 pm #11283

Guests
Participant

I did the Vermont Trail in 96 and went ten days without a shower. A family picked me up on the hitch into Manchester Center and opted for the windows over the AC. There’s something cool about watching black water roll off your body in the shower after ten days on the trail.

November 22, 2006 at 12:26 pm #11284

FreakShow
Participant

12 days on the PCT. I was righteously raunchy and sticking to the sleeping bag. Even my dog smelled better than I did.

December 11, 2006 at 2:17 pm #11285

Guests
Participant

I went 5 days once in the backcountry. I passed a family on the trail and one of the kids said to the other, “Knock knock.” “Who’s There?”, was the reply. “That Man”. “That man who?” “That man stinks.”

January 1, 2007 at 6:53 pm #11286

rwallace
Participant

I left the house Sept 8th for Wyoming an didn’t feel the need to shower until hitting the hotel Sept 15th. We hiked the Teton crest trail, my tentmate vowed never to stay in my tent again…. good stuff

March 15, 2007 at 7:23 pm #11287

TreeFrog
Participant

Went 12 days once while on the PCT not counting the occasional jump into an icy lake. I actually got to the point where it didn’t really bother me if you can believe that.

March 15, 2007 at 7:25 pm #11288

TreeFrog
Participant

Ohhh, and you know I’m gonna answer this one…. Let’s see, I think it was seven days once when I did a section of the Long Trail in Vermont. I actually had to replace my sleeping bag after that hike – no kidding. It was 90 degrees all week and I’m a big man that sweats a lot – so I think you get the idea.

April 4, 2007 at 10:36 am #11289

tigre325
Participant

15 days in the swamps of Louisiana in the middle of August. Compliments of the United States Army.

April 15, 2007 at 5:55 pm #11290

April Flower
Participant

Only a few days for me. I’m not as hard core as the rest of you boys.

September 11, 2007 at 9:55 am #11291

WolfemanNC
Participant

4 days, really. I couldn’t stand myself. Of course, once I got a shower, then started hiking, it was like I didn’t shower at all. I learned to boil a little water in my pot after dinner and wash the areas that needed it the most (you know…)

February 11, 2008 at 10:21 pm #11292

1/4 moon
Participant

haha, this is a great topic. This year on my thru-hike of the At i only showered @ Kinkora and in Pearisburg before getting a room in Glasgow, Va 770 miles in. after that it was too hot and i was showering about every 7-10 days!

December 1, 2008 at 7:20 pm #11293

Guests
Participant

Was in Maine once and had been hiking for a week on the A.T. and needed some supplies. Hitched to Rangeley to a small grocery store and got some food. A little kid in the checkout asked if I was a bum. Told him I was a section hiker, but this confused him. His Mom was embarrased and apologized and offered me a ride back to the trail.

December 13, 2008 at 5:41 pm #11294

Lenny
Participant

9 days on the North Carolina Bartram Trail in summer of 2005. It was a solo trip and I saw nary a soul except at Cheoah Bald so there was no one to offend.
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